Ely Chapman Fall Festival

November 3, 2011

Ten years ago, the Ely Chapman Education Foundation played host for the first time to a book giveaway organized by students in the McDonough Leadership Program at Marietta College.

The turnout was so good the foundation decided to expand the event.

"After the first year, we thought, 'Well, why not turn it into a festival and a fundraiser?" said Alice Chapman, chairwoman and founder of the foundation.

That Fall Festival will be held once again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with free books one of the main - but certainly not the only - attraction.

While the books are usually provided by the nonprofit Christian Appalachian Project, this year's supply came from a defunct used bookstore that once operated in Putnam Commons. Chapman said the numerous books available include children's literature, cookbooks, fiction and nonfiction.

"There's some wonderful finds in there if you're willing to just take the time to look," she said.

Fact Box

If you go

What: Ely Chapman Education Foundation Fall Festival.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Where: At the foundation, 403 Scammel St., Marietta.

Activities: Book giveaway, Second Time Around sale and craft show, kids' games, refreshments for sale.

For more information: 376-9533.

There are no income requirements or other prerequisites to receive books at the giveaway. Chapman said the event promotes literacy and gets "books into the hands of anybody who wants to read." It's also a way to draw people to the foundation and inform them about its commitment to education.

There will also be a Second Time Around sale and craft show, and plenty of food.

"This is where Loretta, who is one of my cooks ... makes her famous chicken and noodles," Chapman said.

In fact, the demand was so great last year that cook Loretta Farnsworth's husband didn't even get any chicken and noodles before they sold out at 1:30 p.m.

As fast as the food goes though, it's a time-consuming process for Farnsworth.

"I've been making them for two weeks," she said on Monday.

Other food available includes soup beans and cornbread, pumpkin pie and Texas sheet cake.

Gift cards to Kroger and Elder-Beerman will be sold, along with Cat's Meow replicas of the foundation's building - the former Marietta High School - and tickets for a quilt made by Ruby Hall to be raffled off later this month. In addition, there will be free games for children.

Proceeds from the event will go toward student scholarships for the foundation's after-school programs, which include homework help, tutoring, reinforcement of basic skills and enrichment, Chapman said. The foundation serves about 55 elementary-age and 16 middle school students, 40 percent of who receive a scholarship.